United States Drug Enforcement Administration

The final defendant in the Fallen Kings drug trafficking conspiracy case has been sentenced, announced DEA Dallas Division Special Agent in Charge Clyde E. Shelley, Jr., and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. Defendants will spend between six months and more than 33 years in federal prison.

A collaborative effort spearheaded by the Caprock High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Texas Anti-Gang Center, Operation Fallen Kings charged 22 individuals with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana; distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana; unlawful use of a communications facility; and bulk cash smuggling.

Each defendant pleaded guilty, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings as follows:

• Jose Garcia-Lizanaga – distribution of methamphetamine – 33 years, four months in federal prison
• Jorge Luis Lizarraga-Tirado – distribution of cocaine – 20 years in federal prison
• Antonio Alvarez Jr. – conspiracy to distribute cocaine – 19 years, seven months in federal prison
• Eduardo Agustin Cruz – conspiracy to distribute cocaine –  five years, three months in federal prison
• Robert Lee Melendez – conspiracy to distribute cocaine – five years, three months in federal prison
• Jesus Marcus Franco – possession with intent to distribute cocaine – four years, nine months in federal prison
• Juana Sanchez – conspiracy to distribute cocaine – two years in federal prison
• Richard David Hupper – distribution of methamphetamine – 27 years, three months in federal prison
• Andrew Doyal Pugh – possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime –  five years in federal prison
• Gregory Holleman – possession with intent to distribute cocaine – two years in federal prison
• Saul Chavira-Molina – possession with intent to distribute cocaine – two years in federal prison
• Jermaine Edgar Garmon – possession with intent to distribute cocaine – three years, 10 months in federal prison
• Shad Everett Evans – possession with intent to distribute cocaine – two years in federal prison
• Arturo Sanchez – possession with intent to distribute cocaine – three years in federal prison
• Petra Maria Sauceda-Perez – misprision of a felony – six months in federal prison
• Kim Herrera – misprision of a felony – eight months in federal prison
• Jessica Angel Deleon – misprision of a felony – two years in federal prison
• Broderick Bradley – distribution of cocaine –  three years, 10 months in federal prison
• Ambrosio Garcia, Jr. – distribution of cocaine – five years, 11 months in federal prison
• Ambrosio Garcia-Rodriguez, Sr. – conspiracy to distribute marihuana – three years, 10 months in federal prison
• Alejandro Castillo – distribution of cocaine – four years, nine months in federal prison
• Paul Larue Bradley – conspiracy to distribute cocaine – two years in federal prison

As a result of this multi-state investigation, law enforcement seized in excess of 65 kilograms of cocaine, five pounds of hydroponic marijuana, five firearms, 12 vehicles and a recreational vehicle.

“The result of team work is in the sentencing of these defendants,” said Special Agent in Charge Shelley. “With the joint efforts of our federal, state and local partners towards a successful prosecution, we were able to, once again, reduce the threat of drugs in the communities of the South Plains.”

“Uniting federal, state and local law enforcement to fight drug trafficking in West Texas has once again proven incredibly effective,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “By adopting our ‘one mission -- one team’ approach to narcotics, violent crime and gang enforcement, the HIDTA and TAG achieved justice for the people of the South Plains.”

The Caprock HIDTA Task Force and TAG are comprised of agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lubbock Police Department. The United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations-Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Hockley County Sheriff’s Office, the Terry County Sheriff’s Office, the Brownfield Police Department, and the Levelland Police Department rendered invaluable assistance in the operation. The Drug Enforcement Administration offices in Midland and El Paso, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office were instrumental in assisting with those individuals located in other jurisdictions. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long.

# # #